CONTACT......EVENTS......RESTAURANTS......ANTIQUES - KUDZU ANTIQUES & DECATUR ESTATE ......EDDIE'S ATTIC
Get out and see a Movie: AMC North Dekalb Mall & The Plaza Theatre
Get out and see a Movie: AMC North Dekalb Mall & The Plaza Theatre
Friday, November 14, 2008
REMEMBER TO SHOP DECATUR!
I thought I would remind everyone of all the great products that we have at Whit's End that have something to do with Decatur, since we are all so proud to live here!
First, we have the great matted photos of Decatur, including the collage with many of our landmarks.
We have the Yuckboy line of tees, which is a locally owned Decatur business.
Also locally owned, is the Decatur Dad line of tees, along with our Decatur Dog Bandanas, Decatur Koozies, and Decatur Mom/Dad/Boy/Girl Christmas ornaments.
And of course, let's not forget the City of Decatur logo'd items. We have short and long sleeve tees, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, beer bottle openers, license plates, and the Decatur Shops Green cloth bags.
Lest we forget the DHS Spirit Wear of all kinds which directly benefit the DHS Athletics Booster Club.
Also, we are currently working with the DHS Alumni Association to get their line of tees in the store in early December.
As always this season to help everyone out, we have our Columbia upper body wear discounted 10% everyday, and our Dockers pants discounted everyday. We still have a clearance rack and table for the best buys around! And, additional discounts are available at our Terrific Thursday evenings with free wine and snacks.
There is a great article in the DHS Carpe Diem newspaper about our Toms Shoes, and also coming new is a piece on Decatur E Life about our involvement in Terrific Thursday and the community as a whole.
REMEMBER TO SHOP DECATUR!
THANKS,
JEFF
Whit's End, LLC
431 W. Ponce DeLeon Ave, #2
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 377-3310
(404) 377-8335 Fax
whitsenddecatur@bellsouth.net
www.whitsenddecatur.com
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Who Are You ?...........BOND..JAMES BOND
Opening of the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace will be big, I'm sure it will be a big box office hit. Pictured here is a 25 foot poster hanging at Lenox Square Mall, The Sony Store at Lenox, and The Poster for the movie.
I saw my first Bond movie at The Decatur Theatre the marquee simply read "DR NO"
So go to the movies this week-end, buy your popcorn and coke and sit back and enjoy...Bond..James Bond 007
Renewal Construction Holds Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
Renewal Construction Holds Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive
November 13, 2008 – In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Decatur-based Renewal Construction is collecting canned goods during the week of November 17th to the 21st.
The generous donations will then be distributed to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Those who wish to donate can stop by the Renewal office during normal business hours to drop off their goods all week. For those who are unable to stop by, Renewal offers pick-up service this Monday, November 17th only. Donors need to secure their canned goods in a bag next to their front door on Monday morning at 9AM. Those wishing for pick-up must email Kelly@renewalconstruction.com for address verification. Pick-up will only be available to those in the surrounding Decatur and Atlanta areas.
Potential donors can visit www.renewalconstruction.com/blog for more information.
Renewal Construction, 124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, is an award-winning, full-service general contractor for major renovations, kitchens and baths, and small projects. For information, call 404.378.6962 or visit www.RenewalConstruction.com.
Kelly Cheek
Marketing Manager
Renewal Construction
124 S. Columbia Dr.
Decatur, GA 30030
t. 404-378-6962
f. 404-378-6963
www.RenewalConstruction.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Birdi's Building For Lease.
#740 DECATUR SQUARE RESTAURANT & BAR
SUPER SACRIFICE SALE
CLOSED & FULLY EQUIPPED
PERFECT FOR CLUB, RESTAURANT, BAR, MUSIC VENUE
SUPER VISIBILITY AND FRONTAGE
BIRDI'S is located at 115 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Incredible location directly on the Decatur Square in full view of all of Downtown Decatur and Court House. 3800/sf. Below market rent at under $4,000 per month. Super space with hi ceilings, big bar and fully equipped kitchen. This location is located in the heart of the county seat and shares the Decatur square with tons of restaurants, bars and retail stores and galleries plus local colleges. Any full service upscale or casual restaurant works great here or could be kept as a bar and club or a live music venue. Priced at $115,000 OBO with Owner financing.
Contact Steven Josovitz at (770) 840-2121 or steven@shumacher.com
Tell them Next Stop...Decatur sent you.
more photos here.
Decatur Schools may have to trim $2 million
DECATUR: Schools may have to trim $2 million
By Kristina Torres
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Decatur City Schools officials —- facing the same sour economy and state funding cuts as other systems —- say they may be forced to cut $2 million out of next school year’s budget.
Some budget-trimming measures are almost a given, including fewer work days in summer, less training and cuts to alternative education and after-school programs. But Decatur schools Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said the system will likely have to go further, to a “point at which people and programs are affected,” according to a letter sent this week to school board members.
That may include cuts to the system’s elementary-age foreign language program and teacher cuts, Edwards said.
No action on the budget is imminent. Rather, Edwards has begun planning and will refine the proposal during the next several months. She plans to have an open meeting with the community in December to talk about possible cuts.
The system increased by 1 mill this school year the property millage rate it charges homeowners to pay for schools. That was the first city school millage increase after four years of rate reductions.
The system’s general fund budget is $37 million. Edwards said she would not recommend another millage rate increase for next year.
Decatur’s budget discussions have started a week after DeKalb County school officials approved plans to cut more than $20 million by next year, including expected layoffs in June of 127 employees.
By Kristina Torres
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Decatur City Schools officials —- facing the same sour economy and state funding cuts as other systems —- say they may be forced to cut $2 million out of next school year’s budget.
Some budget-trimming measures are almost a given, including fewer work days in summer, less training and cuts to alternative education and after-school programs. But Decatur schools Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said the system will likely have to go further, to a “point at which people and programs are affected,” according to a letter sent this week to school board members.
That may include cuts to the system’s elementary-age foreign language program and teacher cuts, Edwards said.
No action on the budget is imminent. Rather, Edwards has begun planning and will refine the proposal during the next several months. She plans to have an open meeting with the community in December to talk about possible cuts.
The system increased by 1 mill this school year the property millage rate it charges homeowners to pay for schools. That was the first city school millage increase after four years of rate reductions.
The system’s general fund budget is $37 million. Edwards said she would not recommend another millage rate increase for next year.
Decatur’s budget discussions have started a week after DeKalb County school officials approved plans to cut more than $20 million by next year, including expected layoffs in June of 127 employees.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time to Plan for your Hoilday Lights
I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I just wanted you to have advance notice.
Decorate Decatur Contest
Sunday, Dec. 14
Join in the communitywide decorating contest – turn on your holiday lights, light your luminaries, and be a part of the celebration. Judges ride through Decatur and pick 10 favorite homes, a business, a neighborhood, and an overall winner who receives the Commissioners Cup from the City Commission. Call 404-37... and leave the address of your favorite holiday house. Judges will ride by all the addresses on the list plus as many other streets as possible.
Attention Neighborhoods: If you would like a load of sand to use for luminaries for your neighborhood for Decorate Decatur, call 404-371-9583 . You must have a space large enough to accommodate a load of sand and the truck delivering it.
decatur-ga.com
Here is a link to last years winners.
Decorate Decatur Contest
Sunday, Dec. 14
Join in the communitywide decorating contest – turn on your holiday lights, light your luminaries, and be a part of the celebration. Judges ride through Decatur and pick 10 favorite homes, a business, a neighborhood, and an overall winner who receives the Commissioners Cup from the City Commission. Call 404-37... and leave the address of your favorite holiday house. Judges will ride by all the addresses on the list plus as many other streets as possible.
Attention Neighborhoods: If you would like a load of sand to use for luminaries for your neighborhood for Decorate Decatur, call 404-371-9583 . You must have a space large enough to accommodate a load of sand and the truck delivering it.
decatur-ga.com
Here is a link to last years winners.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Early holiday shopping? Use these tips
Early holiday shopping? Use these tips
By LINDA FLOREA
Photo by flickr member : infomatique
The Orlando Sentinel
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Halloween’s over, so it’s time to map out your holiday shopping strategy. Here is a look at what early shoppers should consider.
You can either buy today or take a gamble and wait for a sale. Tod Marks, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, says consumers should consider buying clothing early in the shopping season while there are plenty of sizes and colors.
But waiting to buy electronics might pay off because if sales of items such as flat-screen TVs are slow, retailers may cut prices closer to the holidays to clear out inventory.
A word of warning, however: The credit crunch has hit retailers, too, so they are stocking smaller inventories to avoid unloading unsold items at clearance prices after the holidays.
What’s there today may be gone tomorrow. Do you feel lucky?
More here.
Heliotrope 2nd Anniversary Party
Heliotrope is having a 2nd anniversary party this Saturday.
Time 6:00 PM
Read more about it from Catherine's post over at The Decatur Minute.
This is a very cool store,
on my visit I had to take a picture.
Heliotrope
248 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
404.371.0100
Mon-Thu: 10am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 11pm
Sun: 11am - 8pm
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Old Theatre For Lease Should be Refurbished
The city of Avondale Estates should spend some money on the old Towne Cinema Theatre. The marquee needs to be reburbished with neon lights. That little theatre could be so much more.
And someone needs to tell the city they need to remove one lamp post that is to close to the marquee.
I had to remove it in photo shop to make the picture look good.
FOR LEASE INFO CALL 404-256-3061
Anonymous comment:
The Tudor Village is owned by Newberger-Andes who won't put any money into the building and who is regularly at odds with its tenants. Word on the street is Newberger-Andes is willing to sell the Tudor Village for $2.5 million
And someone needs to tell the city they need to remove one lamp post that is to close to the marquee.
I had to remove it in photo shop to make the picture look good.
FOR LEASE INFO CALL 404-256-3061
Anonymous comment:
The Tudor Village is owned by Newberger-Andes who won't put any money into the building and who is regularly at odds with its tenants. Word on the street is Newberger-Andes is willing to sell the Tudor Village for $2.5 million
Leon's Full Service Pub Construction
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Show Me Christmas
Friday, November 7, 2008
Ride MARTA to downtown events this weekend
Ride MARTA to downtown events this weekend
By ARIEL HART
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, November 07, 2008
MARTA suggests itself as Atlanta’s ride of choice to a raft of downtown events this weekend to avoid traffic congestion. But it suggests buying a round-trip ticket at the outset, because returning home the ticket lines downtown could be long.
According to MARTA, music and sports fans this weekend can get to the events listed below by taking the east-west MARTA line to the Georgia Dome/GWCC/Philips arena/CNN Center station. For events at the Georgia Dome, riders could also use the Vine City station.
The weekend events:
Philips Arena
* Friday: Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors
* Saturday: How Sweet the Sound gospel choir competition
* Sunday and Monday: Tina Turner Concerts
Georgia Dome
* Sunday: Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
Labels:
decatur ga 30030,
nextstopdecatur.com
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Two iconic small businesses shut their doors
Two iconic small businesses shut their doors
By CHANDLER BROWN
Photo : Dennis Whitefield
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, November 06, 2008
It looks like the nation’s economic crisis has claimed two of Atlanta’s most iconic small businesses.
On Thursday, Bob Carroll Appliance Co., a fixture in Decatur for decades, sat empty. And Happy Herman’s, a gourmet take-out joint and quick-serve lunch counter that had been on Cheshire Bridge Road since 1948, also was dark.
The phone at Bob Carroll, located in a strip shopping center at the corner of North Decatur and Clairmont roads, was disconnected. Multiple attempts to reach the owners this week were not successful.
“I hate to see another locally owned place go under,” said Lesley Harris, a 32-year-old television commercial producer who lives in Oakhurst. “It was really a good alternative to the big-box stores, where you don’t get that same personal care.”
Across town, Happy Herman’s on Cheshire Bridge closed July 31, owner Borz Zolali confirmed Thursday. Herman’s was best known as a deli and sandwich shop. But there was also a small market and a glass case filled with Joseph Schmidt chocolates, including the signature egg-shaped truffle. Herman’s also did a big business in made-to-order gift baskets.
“People just weren’t interested in spending money on gourmet items anymore,” said Zolali, who immigrated to the United States from Iran and bought the store nine years ago. “I guess it’s just a sign of the economy.”
Two independent Happy Herman’s locations — one on Johnson Ferry Road and one in Alpharetta — closed several years ago, Zolali said.
Experts say small businesses — no matter how long they’ve been around or how beloved they are — often operate on tiny profit margins. When times get tough, they often don’t have the capital to sustain themselves like a larger company might.
Further, with the nation in a credit and mortgage crisis, “customers are taking a hard look at what they really need and deciding the things they don’t really need, they’re not buying,” said Gregory Henley, director of the Russell Center for Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University.
Eating out and other expendable purchases are often the first to get cut out of the family budget, Henley said.
“People may not be going out to eat as frequently,” he said. “They may not be shopping. If they do go out to eat, they may not order the glass of wine or the second glass of wine like they used to.”
The slowdown in the housing market hit Atlanta-based Home Depot hard as well as Charlotte-based Lowe’s, both of which have reported lower-than-expected sales and layoffs. Some smaller appliance stores like Bob Carroll simply couldn’t hang on, Henley said.
“People are saying, ‘You know, I’m going to stick with the old refrigerator a little longer’ or ‘I’m going to try to fix the old dishwasher instead of buying a new one.’”
Henley has long touted metro Atlanta — with its booming population, good weather and the world’s busiest airport — as a great place to start a small business.
“That has not changed, even though we’re in a bad economy,” Henley said. “Over time, I think there’s a bright future for small businesses here and across the United States.”
Here's a little more info on the park & pay by your cell phone
Decatur goes to high-tech parking meters
Drivers can use their cell phones to pay for metered parking
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Hey brother can you spare a dime?
You won’t have to ask that question in Decatur anymore, at least not if you’re trying to park and lack the coins
The city has adopted new technology that allows drivers to pay for metered parking using a cell phone. The hi-tech meters are operating at the E. Court Square and N. McDonough Street lots at the heart of the city, adjacent to the downtown MARTA plaza and restaurant row.
They work with a phone call to 678-791-4116. An automated message will guide parkers through their first use, which is free. The transaction will yield a personal ID and password via text message. To use it again, the information will have to be logged into a Web site, www.goparknow.com, where a paid account will be established.
— Ty Tagami AJC
Drivers can use their cell phones to pay for metered parking
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Hey brother can you spare a dime?
You won’t have to ask that question in Decatur anymore, at least not if you’re trying to park and lack the coins
The city has adopted new technology that allows drivers to pay for metered parking using a cell phone. The hi-tech meters are operating at the E. Court Square and N. McDonough Street lots at the heart of the city, adjacent to the downtown MARTA plaza and restaurant row.
They work with a phone call to 678-791-4116. An automated message will guide parkers through their first use, which is free. The transaction will yield a personal ID and password via text message. To use it again, the information will have to be logged into a Web site, www.goparknow.com, where a paid account will be established.
— Ty Tagami AJC
Renewal Construstion Inc has started a blog for the Decatur Community
Just wanted to let you know that Renewal has its own blog now! The content is going to focus on green topics and the Decatur community. I will add the link to my Decatur blogs.
Thanks Kelly for the info and adding me to your blog roll.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Terrific Thursdays Starts this Thursday at Participating Stores
Starting this Thursday Terrific Thursdays Returns to Decatur
Remember to make Decatur your shopping and dining “mallternative” this holiday shopping season, especially on Terrific Thursdays in November and December. You’ll find cool deals at Decatur's hottest shops, galleries and restaurants, from the west end of Ponce to the east, along Church Street and College Avenue, downtown and in Oakhurst village. Participating businesses will stay open late, offering beverages, snacks and special offers.
Art gallery to open in downtown Decatur
Art gallery to open in downtown Decatur
A new cooperative art and artisan gallery in downtown Decatur will be feted in a grand opening ceremony tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. The emerging artists whose work is on display share space and take turns working in the Decatur Market & Gallery, located in the former Boswell Gallery at 153 Ponce de Leon Place.
The gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A small art and handcraft market will operate in front of the gallery on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 10 p.m.
The gallery is the first to be opened by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, a business group that puts on “Market Day,” weekly and monthly outdoor markets for artists and artisans in Atlanta, Decatur and Stone Mountain.
—- Donna Williams Lewis ..AJC
A new cooperative art and artisan gallery in downtown Decatur will be feted in a grand opening ceremony tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. The emerging artists whose work is on display share space and take turns working in the Decatur Market & Gallery, located in the former Boswell Gallery at 153 Ponce de Leon Place.
The gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A small art and handcraft market will operate in front of the gallery on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 10 p.m.
The gallery is the first to be opened by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, a business group that puts on “Market Day,” weekly and monthly outdoor markets for artists and artisans in Atlanta, Decatur and Stone Mountain.
—- Donna Williams Lewis ..AJC
Election Night Party at Downtown Decatur Holiday Inn
•Tuesday 7 p.m. — Democratic Party of DeKalb County will hold an election night party at the Holiday Inn Downtown Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. This is a free, ticketed event. For on-line tickets, electionnighttickets08@gmail.com . AJC.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
THE PINK PIG IS BACK
2008 Priscilla the Pink Pig. A train ride through a life-size storybook that includes the original Pink Pig and her friends. Under the big tent in the Lenox Road upper-level parking deck. Benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 1-Dec. 30; noon-6 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 1-30 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 7-28. Plus, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 1-3 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 4 (except 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 28; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31). Closed Nov. 27 and Dec. 25. $3; on Nov. 1, Macy’s at Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 770-913-5639, www.macys.com/pinkpig.
Three or four years ago I made a comment on the AJC when they were asking about memories of The Original RICH'S Pink Pig. And they took my comment from hundreds and
published it in The Atlanta Journal here is the comment I said :
Pink Pig' Rides Again at Atlanta Department Store.
Byline: Renee Degross
Oct. 31--Dennis Whitefield's parents used to let him skip school to ride the Pink Pig at Rich's old downtown store. The next day, the note for teachers would say, "Please excuse Dennis ... as he was sick of school."
Starting Saturday, Whitefield and other Atlantans with fond memories of the ride -- along with those too young to remember it -- will have a chance to see the new version at the Rich's-Macy's at Lenox Square.
WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES ?
If you have a picture of yourself riding the Original Pink Pig please share with us.
give us the link or send it to me to post.
**********************************************************************************
Two holiday traditions associated with Rich's were the Great Tree and the Pink Pig.
Two holiday traditions associated with Rich's were the Great Tree and the Pink Pig. Starting in 1947, the Great Tree, conceptualized by executive Frank Pallotta, was a massive real evergreen that was set up on top of the multi-level glass skybridge connecting the main downtown Atlanta store with the Store For Homes across Forsyth Street. After the closure of the downtown store in 1991, the Great Tree, and the annual Thankgsiving evening tree-lighting festivities, moved to nearby Underground Atlanta. After several years of poor attendance, the Tree was moved to the top of the Men's Store at the Lenox Square location. This placed the tree on the corner of the mall closest to the prominent intersection of Peachtree and Lenox Roads. The tree lighting ceremony traditionally features country and pop music performers from Georgia, such as Kenny Rogers, several choirs from local churches, and a rendition of "O Holy Night" with the tree being lit by a child during the high note of the line "O light divine."
The Pink Pig was a child-scaled monorail that originally circled the toy department in the downtown Store for Homes. After several years, it was moved to the roof of the Store For Homes building. The front car of the train had a pig's face, and the last car had a curly tail. The original train featured Priscilla Pig, while a second train added to the track was named Percival. For many years after the closure of the downtown store, the Pink Pig was set up at the Festival of Trees at the Georgia World Congress Center. During the Rich's-Macy's era, in an effort to show respect for the traditions of Rich's, a redesigned Pink Pig, this time a child-sized train rather than a monorail, was set up on the top level of a parking deck at Lenox Square Mall under an enormous pink tent. The train ride takes children (and adults, who can now fit) through a storybook tale of Priscilla Pig. The original Pink Pig monorail cars are now at the Atlanta History Center where they are occasionally displayed.
PITCH & PUTT LIQUOR STORE
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Decatur Bulldogs vs Blessed Trinity Friday Night
This will be the Bulldogs last home game this season in their new Stadium and it's Halloween night,
so it won't be that many people there.
Game time: 7:30
Labels:
decatur ga 30030,
nextstopdecatur.com
Halloween Friday at Brick Store Pub starts at 1:00 PM
Friday, October 31st 2008
One of Atlanta's best Halloween parties - Great parade of costumed contestants looking to bag big $$. Plenty of scares and laughs...and let's be honest, who knows what you'll see! No one under 18 please.
One of Atlanta's best Halloween parties - Great parade of costumed contestants looking to bag big $$. Plenty of scares and laughs...and let's be honest, who knows what you'll see! No one under 18 please.
Crescent Moon to reopen as Thumbs Up Diner
Here is the news about Crescent Moon and Thumbs Up Diner
Crescent Moon to reopen as Thumbs Up Diner
Popular Decatur eatery to open doors in two or three weeks
By CHANDLER BROWN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, October 30, 2008
When Amber Wiley met a friend for lunch last week at Crescent Moon in Decatur, she was surprised to find the doors locked. A note on the door said the popular diner would reopen soon.
Founder and former owner Rob Atherholt “will be taking it back ASAP,” the note reads. “We will remain closed for some repairs and maintenance and reopen shortly.”
But there’s a little more to the story. While the restaurant on West Ponce de Leon Avenue is tentatively set to reopen late next month, it will not be Crescent Moon. It will be Thumbs Up Diner, which currently has locations in downtown Atlanta, Edgewood Avenue and East Point. Thumbs Up founder Lou Locricchio confirmed the plans this week.
Locricchio and Atherholt recently bought the restaurant’s assets from Crescent Moon’s parent company, which filed for bankruptcy last summer. The Crescent Moon name remains tangled in a legal battle related to the bankruptcy filing, Atherholt said.
“It could be six months before that’s settled,” he said Thursday. “I just don’t have that kind of time.”
Thumbs Up features a menu similar to Crescent Moon’s — from omelets with quirky ingredients like squash and black olives to more traditional fare like biscuits and fried chicken — but there will be some changes. The restaurant will no longer serve alcohol, and it will no longer be open for dinner.
“We’re going to be more like the original Thumbs Up,” Locricchio said.
The restaurant will employ most of Crescent Moon’s servers and cooks from before Atherholt sold the businesses a year ago. Atherholt said he hopes to reopen in two to three weeks.
“Well, I’m sorry to see Crescent Moon gone,” said Wiley, 31, a mother of two from Lilburn. “But I’m glad it’s coming back in some form.”
A brief history lesson: In 1984, Locricchio opened the first Thumbs Up Diner on West Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur. In 1995, he sold the concept to Atherholt, who changed the name to Crescent Moon and moved it a block up the street. For more than a decade, the restaurant attracted families, professionals, judges and others from around metro Atlanta.
“It was always a great place to meet friends and have a good meal,” said Julie Duggins, 32, who has lived just off the square for eight years. “I hope Lou and the old gang are able to get the place back up and running very soon.”
In October 2007, Atherholt sold Crescent Moon to Global Restaurant Group LLC. In recent months, the menu was altered, mirrors were installed and the general feel of the place changed. Global Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July and closed the doors of Crescent Moon on Oct. 19.
The futures of Crescent Moon’s satellite locations at Northlake Mall and the Mall of Georgia are uncertain, Atherholt and Locricchio said. The Northlake restaurant remained open Thursday, but Mall of Georgia was not. Phones at both locations were disconnected, and the Crescent Moon Web site (crescentmooneatery.com), which was functional Wednesday, was down Thursday afternoon. A message on the home page read: “We’re out to lunch! Check back often to see what we’re doing next.”
The attorney representing Global Restaurant Group, Paul Reece Marr, did not respond to phone calls and e-mails seeking comment.
Locricchio insists the restaurant — despite a new name and slightly different menu — will restore the funky, friendly atmosphere that made Crescent Moon Decatur a favorite for years.
“Crescent Moon just wasn’t Crescent Moon anymore,” he said. “People wanted a good, well-run breakfast and lunch place in that area, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Crescent Moon to reopen as Thumbs Up Diner
Popular Decatur eatery to open doors in two or three weeks
By CHANDLER BROWN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, October 30, 2008
When Amber Wiley met a friend for lunch last week at Crescent Moon in Decatur, she was surprised to find the doors locked. A note on the door said the popular diner would reopen soon.
Founder and former owner Rob Atherholt “will be taking it back ASAP,” the note reads. “We will remain closed for some repairs and maintenance and reopen shortly.”
But there’s a little more to the story. While the restaurant on West Ponce de Leon Avenue is tentatively set to reopen late next month, it will not be Crescent Moon. It will be Thumbs Up Diner, which currently has locations in downtown Atlanta, Edgewood Avenue and East Point. Thumbs Up founder Lou Locricchio confirmed the plans this week.
Locricchio and Atherholt recently bought the restaurant’s assets from Crescent Moon’s parent company, which filed for bankruptcy last summer. The Crescent Moon name remains tangled in a legal battle related to the bankruptcy filing, Atherholt said.
“It could be six months before that’s settled,” he said Thursday. “I just don’t have that kind of time.”
Thumbs Up features a menu similar to Crescent Moon’s — from omelets with quirky ingredients like squash and black olives to more traditional fare like biscuits and fried chicken — but there will be some changes. The restaurant will no longer serve alcohol, and it will no longer be open for dinner.
“We’re going to be more like the original Thumbs Up,” Locricchio said.
The restaurant will employ most of Crescent Moon’s servers and cooks from before Atherholt sold the businesses a year ago. Atherholt said he hopes to reopen in two to three weeks.
“Well, I’m sorry to see Crescent Moon gone,” said Wiley, 31, a mother of two from Lilburn. “But I’m glad it’s coming back in some form.”
A brief history lesson: In 1984, Locricchio opened the first Thumbs Up Diner on West Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur. In 1995, he sold the concept to Atherholt, who changed the name to Crescent Moon and moved it a block up the street. For more than a decade, the restaurant attracted families, professionals, judges and others from around metro Atlanta.
“It was always a great place to meet friends and have a good meal,” said Julie Duggins, 32, who has lived just off the square for eight years. “I hope Lou and the old gang are able to get the place back up and running very soon.”
In October 2007, Atherholt sold Crescent Moon to Global Restaurant Group LLC. In recent months, the menu was altered, mirrors were installed and the general feel of the place changed. Global Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July and closed the doors of Crescent Moon on Oct. 19.
The futures of Crescent Moon’s satellite locations at Northlake Mall and the Mall of Georgia are uncertain, Atherholt and Locricchio said. The Northlake restaurant remained open Thursday, but Mall of Georgia was not. Phones at both locations were disconnected, and the Crescent Moon Web site (crescentmooneatery.com), which was functional Wednesday, was down Thursday afternoon. A message on the home page read: “We’re out to lunch! Check back often to see what we’re doing next.”
The attorney representing Global Restaurant Group, Paul Reece Marr, did not respond to phone calls and e-mails seeking comment.
Locricchio insists the restaurant — despite a new name and slightly different menu — will restore the funky, friendly atmosphere that made Crescent Moon Decatur a favorite for years.
“Crescent Moon just wasn’t Crescent Moon anymore,” he said. “People wanted a good, well-run breakfast and lunch place in that area, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Park Now Pay By Cell
New for Downtown Decatur / Pay-By-Cell Phone Parking Option.
It's quick , easy and your first session is free.
Read all about this cool feature over at The Decatur Minute.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Downtown Avondale makeover
Vote likely on downtown Avondale makeover
By APRIL HUNT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Avondale Estates commissioners could decide on the plan that will remake a large chunk of downtown Avondale Estates.
A developer wants to bring in condos, shops and a Publix grocery store to a four-block area just west of the central DeKalb County city’s Tudor-esque downtown.
The project has been in negotiations since March. City officials and Century Retail said a development agreement that will move the plan forward is finally ready.
“It has been give and take, but it’s done,” said City Manager Clai Brown.
Century, which plans to demolish buildings between Franklin Street and North Avondale Road, has agreed to additional landscaping and even a trellis to keep the leafy feel of the small town.
For its part, the city won’t charge the developer for Lake Street, which must be abandoned and turned into a private roadway, according to designs of the project.
City officials hope the project will inject cash into city coffers. Fees from building permits on the 28,800-square-foot Publix, which is to be built above first-floor shops, could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Because of the downturn in the economy and the delays in getting the development agreement, though, the Publix will not open in summer 2009, as had been planned.
Instead, Century officials said they expect the store to open in the last quarter of 2009.
The agreement has performance bonds to make sure the project continues, or else Century must pay the city.
Century plans to begin interior demolition as soon as the city commission approves the deal. It could take another 90 days for DeKalb County to issue demolition permits to level the buildings.
Crescent Moon will now be Thumbs Up Diner
Everyone has been waiting to see what happens with Crescent Moon, and now we know Thumbs Up Diner is moving in. Read all about it over at Decatur Metro.
h/t to Decatur Metro
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